Asymmetry of inferior turbinate in patients with nasal septum deviation and its significance for nasal ventilation surgery

Purpose To investigate the asymmetry of the inferior turbinate (IT) in patients with nasal septum deviation (NSD). Methods The paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) of 100 patients with NSD were retrospectively investigated from February 2018 to December 2019. The thickness of IT, IT mucosa and IT bone, the distance between the IT and the midline were measured on both the concave and convex sides, and which correlation with NSD was analyzed. Results The widths of the IT, IT bone and IT medial mucosa on the concave side were larger than those on the convex side (all P < 0.05). The distance from the IT and IT bone to the midline on the concave side was smaller than those on the convex side (P < 0.05, respectively). The degree of NSD had a negative correlation with the widths of the IT and IT bone on the convex side, and the distance between the IT and the midline on the concave side; and a positive correlation with the distance from IT and IT bone to the midline on the convex side, and IT mucosa thickness on the concave side (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The asymmetric IT width is mainly caused by both hypertrophies of the IT mucosa on the concave side and atrophy of the IT bone on the convex side. Therefore, during the surgery of nasal ventilation reconstruction, the IT on the convex side are suggested to be protected from intervention. In contrast, it is necessary to lateralize the IT bone and reduce the IT submucosal tissue on the concave side. However, routine excision of the IT bone is not recommended.